John Gill Commentary Hebrews 6:13

"For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself," — Hebrews 6:13 (ASV)

For when God made promise to Abraham
The apostle proposes Abraham as a pattern, because he was the father of these Hebrews, and of all believers; and because they were interested in the promise made to him, and had a right to the same blessing with him; and because he was remarkable for his faith and patience: the promise made to him is not that in (Genesis 12:1–3) nor that in (Genesis 15:1Genesis 15:4Genesis 15:5Genesis 15:13Genesis 15:14) but that in (Genesis 22:16Genesis 22:17) for that only had an oath annexed to it: and this was made by Jesus Christ, there called the Angel of the Lord, and here God; and who is truly and properly so; and than whom there is none greater; and who elsewhere, as here, is said to swear by himself, (Isaiah 45:23) as follows:

because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself ;
swearing is ascribed to a divine person after the manner of men, and in condescension to them; and who is never introduced swearing, but in matters of moment and of great importance; the note of Philo the Jew

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``well does he (God) confirm the promise with an oath, and with an oath that becomes God; for you see that God does not swear by another, for nothing is better than himself, but by himself, who is the best of all; but some have suggested as if it was inconvenient to swear, for an oath is taken for the sake of faith; but God alone is faithful''

FOOTNOTES:

• F14: on the passage in (Genesis 22:16) from which the following words are cited, is worthy of observation, being very near the apostle's words; Leg. Allegor. l. 2. p. 98.